Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxful
Hi, I would like to know if 数える and 計算する have the same meaning (Calculate/Count), albeit that the latter is formal compared with the former?
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The short answer is 'no'. However, there are exceptions where native speakers may use those interchangeably in very casual situations.
1a. お金を数える。 Involves only addition.
1b. お金を計算する。 Involves addition, subtraction, division and multiplication.
This is one of the exceptioanl cases I just explained above. In non-serious situations these sentences can mean the exact same -- to count the bills and coins that are in front of you.
2a. 羊を数える時間だよ。 Correct.
2b. 羊を計算する時間だよ。 Impossible.
3a. 参加者の数を数える。 Correct.
3b. 参加者の数を計算する。 Not natural because this should usually involve only addition.
4a. 結婚の危険性を数える。 Impossible phrase. Do you say that in your language?
4b. 結婚の危険性を計算する。 Just impossible. I do not even know what these two sentences mean.
5a. クリスマスの期日を数える。 Impossible.
5b. クリスマスの期日を計算する。 Impossible.
There is no such thing as 「クリスマスの期日」. It sounds as if someone could change the date of Christmas at his will.
6a. 犬の理想体重を数える。 Impossible.
6b. 犬の理想体重を計算する。 Very good.